A federal appeals court has revived two lawsuits challenging the highly secretive National Security Administration’s warrantless monitoring of Americans’ communications since 9/11. Two groups of telecom customers had sued the federal government for violating their privacy in the surveillance program authorized by President George W. Bush. Government lawyers have moved to stop such cases, arguing […]

Prompted by rising costs that squeeze the state budget, Kansas plans to overhaul its Medicaid program — something making advocates for the needy and health care providers nervous as Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration looks for savings. The Republican governor’s administration promises that its changes will achieve the savings without reducing coverage for the disabled, elderly […]

Tackling obesity will be the top priority for Kansas’ top health official in the coming year. Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Robert Moser says the number of overweight adolescents and adults has risen steadily over the last 15 years. Moser told The Lawrence Journal-World he’s concerned about health conditions related to obesity, such as […]

Four northwest Kansas towns that lost their Duckwall stores last year have had varied success in finding replacements for the general stores. Town officials say the stores were important because they offered a wide variety of items, ranging from paper clips to some grocery items. La Crosse residents decided shortly after the closings were announced […]

A Salina man convicted in 2008 of trading methamphetamine for sex with a 13-year-old girl has been given a reduced sentence. 43-year-old Kendall T. Brown was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in prison. He had originally been sentenced to 15 years but the Kansas Court of Appeals ordered another trial because Brown was not allowed […]

Americans are hopeful for what 2012 will bring for their families and the country, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll, though most say 2011 was a year they would rather forget. Nearly seven in 10 say the year gone by was a bad one, more than double those who consider it a success, according […]

A Reno County judge says a suspect in the death of a Hutchinson woman is competent to stand trial. District Judge Joe McCarville ruled Tuesday that 48-year-old Billy Joe Craig Jr. is able to stand trial for first-degree murder in the death of 27-year-old Jennifer Heckel. Craig was evaluated at Horizons Mental Health Center in […]

Kansas is receiving a bonus of $5.9 million from the federal government for making it easier for families to enroll children in programs covering their health care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says it’s the third straight year that Kansas has earned a bonus. HHS says Kansas is being rewarded because it’s […]

Kansas health officials want to help smokers kick the habit in 2012. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says it has several ways to help people fulfill their New Year’s resolution. The agency offers free cessation support and information online at www.QuitNow.net/Kansas or toll-free at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. KDHE secretary Robert Moser says giving up tobacco […]

The new state-owned casino in south-central Kansas is still looking for workers. The Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane opened to the public Monday. About 500 people have been hired so far, but roughly 50 more are needed — mainly dealers for table games. Kansas Star officials say approximately 12,000 people applied for jobs. From that […]

Kansas Highway Patrol officials will be asking legislators for a new troop headquarters in Wichita because they say the current facility is not big enough to handle operations. They’ll have help from state Rep. Steve Brunk, a Bel Aire Republican who says Troop F desperately needs a new building. The Wichita Eagle reports the Patrol hopes to build […]

One Oregon police chief was killed when a man allegedly took the officer’s gun and shot him in the head. A policeman in Arizona was fatally shot when he went to a suburban Phoenix apartment complex to help a probation officer. And two South Dakota officers were killed in a shootout after a traffic stop. […]

The Wichita business owner says he’s considering some changes after two suicides at shooting ranges this month. Wichita police say a man shot himself Monday after renting a gun at Bullseye Shooting Range. Another man shot committed suicide Dec. 2 at The Bullet Stop in Wichita. Don Holman, owner of The Bullet Stop, told KWCH that […]